NA 


UC-NRLF 


B    M    51E    7flM 


LIBRARY 


University  of  California. 


Class 


THE   WELLBEING   OF 
WATERLOO 


A  REPORT 
TO  THE  CIVIC  SOCIETY  OF  WATERLOO,  IOWA 


BY 

CHARLES  MULFORD  ROBINSON 


APRIL.   1910 


MATT  PARROTT  &  SONS  CO. 
WATERLOO,  IOWA 


!,\ 


K 


Contents 


IXTKODXTCTION 


SoiMK    Shoktco.mincs 4-17 

(Poles    and    wires,    waste    cans,    light    standards,    curbs, 
drinking  bowls  and   alleys,  street  trees,  building  regula- 


^  tions,    side    parkings,    railroads,    schoolyards    and    public 

building   grounds,   Washington   and    Lincoln    Squares.) 


Crrv  Hall  Site IS 

The  Railroads 19 

The    Rivek 20 

The   Park   System 25-34 

(Cedar  River  Park  and  the  river.  Riverside  drive,  Pros- 
pect Park,  West  Side  circuit  drive,  Riverview  drive.  East 
Side  circuit  drive.  North  End  Park,  Virden  Creek,  Play- 
grounds, Cemeteries. ) 

Street    Extension o5 

(Some  lost  (ipporl  luiil  ics,  liidcpciidciicc  Axi'imc,  Park 
Avenue. 

I'l  r.r.K     .MAHKi:r *...**... 3.S 

.    .  .  ^.  ,..  ^., *   \ 

Conclusion'    38 


i^4 


:::7g^'-         '.,    .    ■...     •—  ^iflS^s/p 


mm^ 


h! 


Introduction 


i 


In  submitting  this  report  on  civic  improvement  possibilities 
in  Waterloo,  I  want  at  the  very  beginning  to  meet  a  criticism 
which  is  certain  to  be  made.  It  will  be  said  that  there  are 
recommended  many  things  which  Waterloo  is  nnable  at  this 
time  to  do.  That  is  perfectly  true.  It  is  a  just  criticism  of  any 
city-plan  report  that  looks  ahead  for  a  term  of  years,  and  the 
report  which  did  not  do  that  would  be  of  only  a  day's  interest, 
since  it  would  fail  to  present  a  plan  to  work  to.  This  does  look 
ahead.  There  is  no  proposal  that  the  recommendations  be,  as  a 
whole,  carried  out  this  year  or  next  year.  Some  of  them  must 
wait  a  long  time  for  realization.  The  officials  and  people  will 
decide  what  is  most  urgent,  in  Avhat  undertaking  delay  is  most 
dangerous,  and  what  the  city  can  afford  year  by  year  to  do,  but 
all  the  time  there  will  1k'  a  goal  to  work  to. 

The  Report  for  AVaterloo  looks  ahead  also  to  a  greater  ex- 
tent than  is  necessary  in  most  other  places.  For  this  there  are 
two  reasons :  The  fact  that  the  city  is  now  developing  with  such 
extreme  rapidity ;  and  the  fact  that  Waterloo  is  so  exceptionally  t  i 
well  built.  As  a  rule,  the  city  planner,  as  he  goes  about  a  town, 
making  notes  of  the  points  that  should  be  improved,  is  able  to 
jot  down  memoranda  of  a  great  many  things  that  might  be  done  I 
at  once.  There  are  poor  sidewalks,  fences  that  should  come  out ; 
there  is  old-fashioned  curbing  and  a  lack  of  street  name  signs — 
little  things,  not  difficult  to  correct,  and  making,  by  the  frequency 
of  their  recurrence,  a  deal  of  difference  in  the  aspect  of  the  city. 
But  in  Waterloo  one  cannot  make  those  particular  criticisms. 
In  its  residence  sections  Waterloo  is  one  of  the  best  built  little 
cities  I  have  ever  seen.  There  are  almost  no  front  fences ;  the 
sidewalks  are  almost  uniformly  good ;  the  parkings  between 
curb  and  walk  are  well  proportioned  and  generally  well  cared  for ; 
admirable  and  modern  work  has  been  done  by  the  city  engineer's  a 

office,  neat  name  signs  are  on  the  street  corners,  and,  thanks  to         ^* 
the  Civic  Society,  even  the  billboard  is  less  aggressive  than  usual. 
It  is  a  very  exceptional  and  very  pleasant  experience  to  be  able 
to  begin  a  report  by  paying  such  a  tribute  to  a  city. 

But  these  very  excellences  involve  obligations.  In  the  first 
place,  they  clear  the  way  for  other  and  more  ambitious  under- 
takings, making  failure  to  act  the  less  excusable ;  and  in  the 
second  place,  they  throw  into  the  strong  light  of  contrast  the 
shortcomings  that  do  persist,  making  these  incongruous,  even 
ridiculous,  and  inviting  our  scorn.  i ,' 

Let  us  take  up  first  the  shortcomings,  and  with  them  cleared  {j 

out  of  the  way  we  shall  have  indeed  a  well  built,  attractive  city  | ' 

of  which  to  make  study  for  larger  improvement  plans. 

X  237767  V, 


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i 


Some  Shortcomings 


Tlic  poles  for  wires  arc  prol>al)ly  tlie  most  conspicuous  feat- 
ure now  detracting  from  the  good  appearance  of  the  streets  of 

Waterloo.    1  append  three  photographs 
Poles  and  Wires        that    speak    pretty    plainly    for    them- 
selves.  The  first,  which  shows  the  street 
thjit  li;is  l)ccii  cleared  of  poles,  is  a  view  of  AVest  Fourth,  the  pic- 
tun-  Ix'ing  taken  from  the  corner  of  AVestern  avenue. 


()iK'   ul   llic   Ilu    WalLiloo   stixets  which   has  been   cleared   ut   \iu\i 


l.iKikiiitj  (hnvn  the  left   curb  liere,  one  might  well   a~l 
that   (if  a  raihoad   right-of-way. 


■\\-    1^   n.il 


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T»Ji»f§/f^<sr- 


*•      *>^\j^^ 


C7«;s= 


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A' 


White   poles   that    gleam   against    the   dark   background 


Dark  colored  poles  on   the  rear  property  line  of  an  up-to-date  subdivision. 
I 'holograph   from   another   city. 


i^fiiSg^SSrr 


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<1- 


— Jvu^ 


=5iPc: 


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Tlic  othci-  streets,  which  ;ire  tlie  more  typical,  are  Fi-aiikliii 
and  Lafayette.  Now  tlicre  are  three  things  in  particiihir  whicli 
I  wouhl  point  onl  with  refei'ence  to  tlie  streets  that  cai'ry  tlie 
poh's:  First,  in  each  ease  tliere  are  lines  on  both  si(h's  of  the 
street.  Thai  cei-tainiy  slionld  not  he  aMowed.  It  is  an  ex|)h»(h'd 
idea  that  ditfei-ent  companies  cannot  snccessfidl\'  nse  the  same 
])oles — thon<ih  I  (h)  not  know  tliat  even  that  is  the  excuse  in 
Waterloo.  In  Chieago  the  lighting  and  telephone  companies 
have  strung  their  wires  on  the  one  pole  for  ten  years  or  more. 
and  naturally  with  large  economy  to  themselves.  Tavo  years  ago 
the  luimber  of  ])o]es  used  jointly  by  those  companies  in  Chicago 
was  put  at  25,000.  Second,  the  ])oles  in  Waterloo  are  painted 
white  almost  to  the  ground.  That  is  to  say,  the  people  not  only 
permit  them  to  exist,  t>nt  i)ermit  them  to  be  painted  the  most 
conspicuous  color  possil)le.  If.  as  in  many  cities,  the  companies 
were  recpiired  to  paint  the  poles  a  dark,  neutral  green,  they  Avould 
not  be  nearly  so  objectionably  ])rominent.  Third,  the  time  has 
come  when  eithel-  the  wires  must  be  removed  oi"  the  tl'ees  t(tpi)e(l. 
In  other  words,  it  is  a  critical  time.  Painting  the  jxtles  dark 
will  not  save  the  ti-ees;  re(iuiring  the  use  of  a  single  line  will 
save  them  on  only  one  side  of  tin'  street,  and  the  trees  are  just 
reaching  the  point  where  they  frame  tlu'  street,  and  ai"e  them- 
selves of  shapely  grace. 

With  such  examples  l)efore  Hie  people,  it  would  seem  a  good 
time  to  ett'ect  cei'taill  reforms.  1.  There  should  be  enforced  an 
oi'dinance  re(|uiring  that  no  pole  may  be  erected  witluuit  written 
permission  from  a  designated  city  ol'ticial.  such  permission  nam- 
ing the  exact  place  whei-e  the  jx/le  shall  be  located.  2.  An  agl'ee- 
ment  should  be  eidei'"d  into  by  the  city  and  the  companies  that 
a  cei'tain  fail'  distance  of  conduit  be  constructed  ea<-h  yeai'  and 
wires  buried  thei-ein.  It  may  be  noted  in  this  connection  that  it 
is  actually  chea|)er  1o  i»uild  a  conduit  which  shall  cari'y  a  huii- 
di'ed  pairs  of  tele|)hone  wires  in  a  (able  than  it  is  to  build  a  pole 
line  carrying  that  iiumbei-  ot  bare  wii'es.  'A.  As  far  as  pi'actica- 
ble.  wires  should  be  carried  through  alleys  in  preference  to  tin' 
pole  lines  on  the  sti'eets.  This  will  save  street  trees.  4.  Where 
the  wires  cannot  be  buried  and  there  is  no  alley,  the  poles  ma\' 
be  erected  at  the  i-e;u'  |)i'o])ert\'  line.  In  many  cities,  owners  luive 
wisely  preferred  this  coui'se  to  the  s|toiling  of  their  streets. 


-:^?rV^@>iaB5K: 


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FRUITdCAHDY 


# 


Civic  art  rm  l-onrth  strrct.  This  is 
almost  the  first  street  fixture  to  meet 
the  eye  of  the  stranger  arriving  at  the 
Union   Station. 


But  ('\'('ii  tlic  coiiditions  dc- 
scrilK'd  ill  W'jilci'loo  jii'c  not  tlic 
sum    of    llic    pole    nuisance.      In 

tllf  business  section,  where  the 
greatest  nuinbel-  of  people  see 
tile  poles,  theii'  hulk  and  disti^'- 
uriiig  (jualities  are  \ei'y  much 
enhanced  by  tacking  advertise- 
ments on  them — interesting  tes- 
timony, by  the  way.  that  the 
jtoles  are  eonspicu(Uis ;  and  then 
by  the  extraordinary  custom  of 
allowing  the  news|)apers  to  at- 
tach boxes  to  them.  These  are 
designed  to  receive  want  adver- 
i  tisenients.  but  they  really  give  to 
bnsiness  streets  of  a  progrt^ssive 
and  very  active  municipality  the 
semblance  of  a  rural  delivery 
route.  It  is  hard  to  realize  that 
the  city  which  meekly  permits 
such  staking  out  with  poles  as 
does  AYaterloo  is  the  same  which 
in  many  other  respei-ts  is  so 
beantifnllv  built. 


Tile  large  waste  can  is  a  prominent  feature  in  the  pliotogiai)h 
that  follows.     It  is  a  great  thing  to  have  waste  cans — though  the 

picture  shows,  also,  that   lliey   may  not 
Waste  Cans  I"'  'i^'''i  quite  as  much  as  the\-  should 

lie — l)ut  a  little  thought  will  snggv'st 
thai  as  the  purpose  of  the  can  is  to  encourage  trimness  in  the 
street  it  ought  to  illustrali'  Ihat  \ii'tue  in  itself.  At  the  lime  of 
my  visit,  no  waste  can  of  Walerloo  did  so.  rnpainted  and  bat- 
tered, they  Avere  not  a  great  deal  better  than  the  pajiers  they 
held.  There  are.  also,  better  makes  and  types.  The  best  I  know 
is  that  used  in  Dmiver.  but  Decatur.  Illinois,  has  a  very  good  one. 
and  what  Decatur  can  affoi-d  in  tliat  direction  I  presume  Water- 


^? 


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CiK^-.   what   It   i>.   i)f  wliicli  the  mere  presence  of  \i 
is   a   "want   advertisement." 


Ic.tau-.l 


loo  can.  But  even  a  painting  of  the  present  eans  will  help. 
Since  the  Civic  Society  secured  the  cans,  it  can  very  properly 
interest  itself  in  seeing  that  they  are  properly  maintained. 

For  all  the  poles  in  Waterloo,  it  is  to  be  noted  that  most  of 
the  street  lights  are  tlimsily  hung  from  Avires — only  a  few  orna- 
mental standards  having  appeared. 
Light  Standards  It  may  l)e  noted,  also,  that  theri^  are 
many  electric  signs,  and.  fui"th«M'  that 
wooden  trolley  poles  are  in  Kse.  The  mere  statement  of  these 
three  conditions  suggests  correction  by  co-operative  action.  For 
no  more  money  in  the  aggregate  than  the  merchants  are  now 
spending  for  garish  advertisements,  they  could.  1)y  co-opin*ation. 
erect  on  any  street  or  block,  oriianiciilal  light  standards.  These 
would  mahe  the  business  street  iiuicli  more  interesting  and  at- 
tractive; and  out  of  their  saving  rioiii  the  signs  the  merchants 
could  pay  I'oi-  these  lights  and  hax'e  something  left — though,  as 
a  matter  of  fad.  the  city  would  probably  ])ay  for  llie  lighting. 
Further,  as  to  the  trolley  poles,  these  can  be  combined  in  a  single 
fixture  with  light  standards — so  i-educing  the  cost  of  the  latt(M-  to 
the  merchants,  and  abolishing  the  wooden  trolley  poles  Avitlioul 
giH'at  tax  on  the  company.  This  has  been  (Uuie  successfully  in 
many  cities.  There  is  need  oidy  of  get-togetherness.  The  im- 
l)ulse  is  all  there.  Here  are  three  interests  that  use  the  street  : 
That  Avhich  lights  it.  that  wliich  nuis  trolley  cars  through  it.  and 
that  which  does  business  on  il.  Each  is  interested  in  bettei-ing 
the  street  so  that  ])eople  will  more  enjoy  going  there,  and  thus 
incidentally  in  l)ettering  the  city:  l)nt  each  interest  is  going  its 
own  way  and  doing  crudely  and  poorly  what  by  union  could  be 
done  well  at  no  increase  of  cost, 


^ 


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^ 


A^ 


Curbs,  Drinking 
Bowls  and  Alleys 


Tlic  i)h()t(><ii'apli  of  the  pole  with  the  l)oxes  is  interesting  as 
showinj;-   also   a    sui-\ival    of   old-fasliioiicd    (•iir])iiig   at   the   street 

corner.  Under  tliis  plan  tin;  enrb  is 
brought  around  by  a  very  short  radius. 
On  most  of  the  streets  of  AVaterloo  to- 
day a  ten-foot  radii's  is  in  use;  and 
these  survivals  are  hardly  to  be  found  except  in  the  business  sec- 
tion Avhere  some  pavenuMits  laid  a  good  whib^  ago  have  not  been 
yet  replaced.  It  would  scarcely  be  worth  while  to  refer  to  them 
except  that  through  a  curious  lack  of  forethought,  as  it  would 
seem,  the  builders  of  new  business  structures  are  allowed  to  ex- 
cavate for  cellar  purposes  out  to  the  old  eurb  line  at  the  corner. 
During  my  visit,  there  was  an  instanee  of  this  in  the  case  of  the 
concrete  building  going  up  opposite  the  Ellis  Hotel.  aii;l  1  noticed 
it  in  one  or  two  other  cases.  It  means  that  it  will  be  difficult, 
almost  to  the  point  of  impracticability,  to  change  the  obi  corners 
which,  trespassing  on  what  should  be  road  space,  soon  be  ome 
battered  and  worn.  Requirement  that  in  future  excavations 
there  be  allowance  for  at  least  a  ten-foot  curb  radius  at  the  cor- 
ner would  work  hardship  upon  no  one.  and  would  mean  a  great 
deal  to  the  city. 

Another  very  extraordinary  feature  on  the  business  streets 
of  trim  and  w^ell-built  Waterloo  is  the  watering  tank — I  do  not 
suppose  anyone  ventures  to  call  it  a  "fountain" — for  horses. 
Unfortunately,  the  photograph  is  not  of  the  only  one  in  town. 
The  single  improvement  for  it  which  I  am  able  to  suggest,  as 
worth  wdiile,  is  to  take  it  out  and  start  all  over.  The  National 
Humane   Alliance,   through   funds   furnished   by   a   generous   be- 


^S?5^ 


T^&^mSH^S!^ 


av 


k 


mifS!^-. 


^f 


=2i^Pv=r:^ 


(liicst.  is  prepared  to  make  gifts  of  a  wrU  (l('si<:ii(Ml.  polished  i-ed 
granite  fouiitain.  Ii'iinined  with  hroiize  and  (•(•sting  a  tliousand 
dollars,  and  cities  that  i'ecei\-e  liiese  have  oidy  to  agree  to  set 
tliem  up  and  pay  the  fi-eight.  These  fountains,  which  have  at  the 
l>ase  small  howls  for  dogs,  are  now  to  he  found  in  cities  and  towns 
in  evei'v  State  in  the  I'nion.  l>ut  a  st  I'eet  fountain  may  he  a  very 
ser\-iceal)le.  fitting  and  heauliful  local  memorial  or  gift;  and  it 
is  always  t)ettei"  tliat  cities  recei\c  things  from  their  own  citizens 
lather  than  as  lai'gess  j'l'om  outsi(h'.  There  is  ahundance  of  good 
(h'signs  i'l'om  wiiich  to  cho(»se.  and  the  American  Societv  for  the 


?v 


() 


JV 


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A   centrally   located   alk 


\\  nlcr'oo. 


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-^iK^@>S&K^ 


J 


;  I 


[•A 


Prevention  ol*  Cruelty  to  Animals  is  j^'lad  to  assist  in  selection 
liy  furnishing  |)hotographs,  data  as  to  cost,  etc.  The  point  to  l)c 
made  is  that  noAvadays  there  is  absolutely  no  need  for  such  a 
hideous  tank'  as  tlial  which  Waterloo  permits  on  her  business 
str(M'ts. 


fl 


'  A  word  should  l)e  said,  also,  as  to  the  alleys.     C  omparatively 

feAV  of  them  are  paved,  and  an  unpaved  alley  is  fore-ordaiiunl 
0^-  to  be  dirtv,  a  menace  to  health  and  a  blot  on  the  city.     As   1         !i0% 

^'^         photographed  a  street  tank  that  happens  to  be  on  the  East  side,         <y 
T  show  an  alley  that  happens  to  be  on  the  AVest. 

In  the  residence  disti'ict,  the  trees  are  of  great  importance. 
AVe  have  spoken  of  the  menace  of  the  wires.     But  w^ere  there  no 

wires,  there  still  would  be  need  of  uni- 
Street  Trees  formity  in  the  spacing  of  the  trees,  of 

uniformity  in  choice  of  variety,  of  care- 
ful trimming,  of  i)i'otection  from  advertisers,  insect  foes  and  from 
horses.    In  fact,  city  trees  have  so  hard  a  fight,  and  it  is  so  essen- 
tial, both  to  the  beauty  of  the  city  and  to  the  comfort  of  living, 
that  they  win  the  fight,  growing  in  comeliness  and  strength,  that 
they  ought  to  be  given  the  help  which  an  experienced  tree  man. 
//         Avith  the  authority  of  the  nninicipality  in  his  office,  can  give  to 
Y^        them.     Whether  his  is  a  separate  bureau,  or  whether  he  is  em- 
ployed by  the  park  commission,  is  not  of  nuu-h   importance — if 
\        only  his  appointment  depends  on  knowledge  and  efficiency  rather 
I         than  on  politics.     As  long  as  street  trees  are  treated  as  the  prop- 
erty of  the  lot  owners,  and  subjected  to  the  capriciousness  of  indi- 
vidual whim,  it  is  folly  to   expect  good  results.     What  sort  of 
pavement    would    we   have,    and    what   variegated    sidewalks,    if 
every  lot  owner  were  permitted  to  do  as  he  chose  as  to  those 
other  parts  of  the  strc^^t  in  front  of  his  property? 

In  this  connection.  I  would  call  attention  to  the  trees  in  the         ^^ 
center  parking,  as  exemplified  on  a  portion  of  Park  aveiuie  and  '' 

in  the  narrow  center  parking  near  the  entrance  of  Highland 
Park.  Except  where  such  parking  is  of  great  width,  and  wlu're. 
eonseciuently.  the  street  is  exti'emely  broad.  I  dislike  the  planting 
of  shade  trees  in  center  parking.  They  break  the  long,  handsome 
vista  of  the  street.  A  center  parking  adoriKnl  with  tlowering 
shrubs  and  bushes  makes  a  much  handsomer  thoi'onghfare  and 
gives  immediate  r(\sult.  As  a  compromise,  however,  a  good  street 
can  be  made  by  th(^  planting  of  a  single  row^  of  low  growing 
ornamental  trees  in  center  parking.  The  nuignolia  is  good  for 
this  purpose,  or  a  vai'iety  of  conifer. 


^P&iif^ssssrx 


=^.  ^=  ^'gg/ 


Via 


'I'hcrc  iu'c  tio  l)iiil(ling  reguialioiis  in  Waterloo.     'I'lic  Inck  ]s 
unpleasantly  ()l)\i()iis  at  vai'ioiis  points.     As  rcti'ai'ds  (•i\i('  acstlict- 

irs,   the    most    important    matter   is    tlu;         11 
Building  Regulations    <'stal)lislini('nt  of  a  "l)nil(lin^  line"  in         j 

fi'ont    of  -wliich   no   l)uil(linH'  sliall    pi-o- 
jcct.     This  must    vary   in  accoi'dancc   witii   the  n('i<.fhl)()rlioo(l.   hut  i 

Ilic   maintenance  of  unrioi'iuity   in   tlie  setting-  of  tlie  houses   will 
,<ii\-e  symmetry   to  the  street   \\hethei'  they   are  near  oi-  far   I'loiii 
the  lot    line.     And  there  are  two  advantages  e\-en    •i'reater  llian         j^ 
the  aesthetic   in  such   regnlalion:     The   li<>:ht  and   street   outlook         ff 
of  every  oeeupant  of  a  house  is  thus  protected,  tliei'e  heing  assur-         I 
ance  that  no  neiglibor  and  no  intruding  tradesman  Ccin  shut   liim 
in;  while  from  the  standpoint  of  the  eity  at  large,  should  there 
ever  be  occasion  to  widen  a  street  on  which  the  buildings  are  so  1 

regulated,  there  is  precious  assurance  that  no  improvements  will 
have  been  made  on  the  strip  to  be  secured.     Other  regulations, 
here  omitting  those  that  have  to  do  Avith  safety  of  construction 
and  fire  protection,  determine  the  amount  of  the  lot  which  may 
be  covered  by  buildings — as  seventy  per  cent,  for  example — so 
heading  off  congestion ;  the  distance  of  a  house  from  the  side  lines 
\\         of  the  lot,  so  giving  assurance  of  light  and  free  circulation  of  air; 
and  the  character  of  building — as  no  "'manufacturing  establish- 
ment" in  a  ''residence  district."     This  rule  is  in  operation  not 
only  in  German  cities,  but  in  such  a  hustling  American  city  as,  for 
j.         example,  Los  Angeles.     It  will  mean  much  for  the  future  of  Wa- 
ll        tei-loo,  and  much  for  her  citizens,  if  far-sighted  building  regula- 

t  ions  be  adopted.  i 

I  have  praised  the  parkings — the  lurf  strip,  that  is  to  say.         ' 
betAveen  the  curb  and  the  paved  portion  of  the  sidewalk.     But  | 

j  on    West    Fourth    street,    just    beyond  ' 

j  I  Side  Parkings  Bayard,  an  extremely  unfortunate  ex-         , 

\\  ception  has  been  made.     For  some  dis-         ,■ 

4{^l  tance  there  the  sidewalk  has  been  laid  directly  next  to  the  curb. 

'*,'          breaking  the  parking  strip  and  doing  a  good  deal  to  s])oil  a  tine 
and  important  street,  that  has  ali'eady  borne  mncli  in  this  respect 
in  an  inequality  of  parking  lower  down.     There  could  have  been.         ;■ 
perhaps,  no  worse  choice  of  a  residence  street  on  which  to  try         :| 
such   an   experiment,   for,  already   a  main  thoroughfare,   Fourth         ' 
is  destined  to  yet  greater  importance"  as  the  direct  approach  to    . 
l*rospect  Park.     It  may  be  added  that    the  broad  side  parkings         (, 
which  can  so  greatly  enhance  the  beauty  of  a  street,  have  also 
tlie  power  greatly  to  detract  from  it  if  they  be  neglected.     As  it 
is  ditficult  sometimes,  in  the  case  of  absentee  OAvnership,  to  secure  j 

for  the  parking  in  front  of  vacant  lots  that  care  Avhich  is  the  due         ij 
of  the   otlier   property   owners,   authority  should    be   secured   to  i 

[tut  the  management  of  such  parkings,  on  petition  of  a  majority         \i 


i\ 


:^>;S«©?ST^-'r- 


WJf^^ 


^  ?v 

of  the  street  frontage,  into  tlic   hands  of  the   [);u'l\  foniniissioii. 

which,  in  its  tnrn.  shall  have  authority  to  assess  on  the  property 
.  I  the  eost  of  snch  eare.  Ten  to  fifteen  cents  a  front  foot  a  year 
K         nsuallv  covers  the  eost  under  such  conditions. 


On  the  East  side,  the  embankment  by  which  the  tracks  of 

ij        the  Great  AVestern  are  raised  to  cross  over  those  of  the  Illinois 

ifi.  Central  now  presents  a  needlessly  un- 


i 


ii 


^tl  Some  Grade  Crossings  attractive     rampart.       The     company         >Jy 

^|1  should  be   required  to   sod   the   banks,  .y 

as  most  railroad  companies  do  in  other  cities  under  like  condi- 
j  tions,  and  the  opportunity  should  be  availed  of  to  get  as  many 
j  safe  street  crossings  as  practicable.  Even  at  AValnut  street,  a 
subway  should  be  built.  To  be  sure,  the  tracks  have  not  got  very 
far  up  at  that  point,  but  at  least  there  is  a  good  start  and  such  is  ,  , 
the  special  importance  and  the  growing  importance  of  that  street 
for  driving  and  motoring,  that  it  would  be  worth  while  to  do  a 
great  deal  to  avoid  its  grade  crossing.  In  this  connection,  it  may 
be  added  that  Idaho  street's  grade  crossing  of  the  Great  Western 
can  be  eliminated  so  easily  by  a  subway  that  there  must  be  no 
thought  of  anything  else  when  the  street  is  paved.  Common  pru- 
dence and  business  sagacity  require  that.  But  I  shall  take  up 
the  general  railroad  situation  further  on. 

An   important   direction   in   which   the   beauty   of   Waterloo 
can  be  enhanced,  and  one  that  will  doubtless  appeal  with  special 

force  to  the  members  of  the  Civic  Soci- 
Schoolyards  and  Pub-    ety,  is  in  the  planting  of  the   school- 
lic  Building  Grounds    yards  and  the  grounds  of  pul)lic  build- 
ings.    Of  course,  the  primary  purpose 
of  a  schoolyard  is  to  give  play  space,  and  with  that  purpose  no 
ornamental  planting  should  be  permitted  to  interfere.     But  com- 
ii        ing  to  Waterloo  fresh  from  the  study  of  a  city  where  schoolyards  i^ 

#*        are  very  meagre  and  very  bare,  I  could  not  but  be  impressed  by  *' 

the  opportunity  offered  in  the  fairly  spacious  front  yards  of  the 
,        schools,  usually  shaded  as  they  are  with  good  trees. 

i'  There  is  nothing  lovelier  than  a  lawn  on  which  the  sunlight 

1        flickers  through  leafy  branches.     Si)otty  flower  IkmIs  would  not 

only  spoil  the  play,  but  be  in  the  poorest  sort  of  taste.    But  there 

is  room  to  plant  vines  on  thi^  building,  so  harmonizing  and  soft- 

j        ening  the  picture ;  and  there  is  space  in  cool,  dark  corners,  made 

i         by  the  irregularity  of  wall,  to  put  at  least  a  fern  bed.    Now  and 

then,  in  an  angle,  there  will  be  room  for  a  lilac,  a  spirea,  or  for- 

sythia.     And  if  the  feet  of  the  little  players  have  worn  bare  the 

grass,  I  would  not  re-sod  it,  but  I  would  put  near  the  street  a 


9&ims^Sr^ 


^^Ji\J^ 


=2£y!\:: 


11 


climip  (tf  \afi('<,Ml('(l  slii'uhs.  Ilial  would  partially  iscrccn  the  bare 
sp.rce  and.  willi  hcauly  of  Mower  and  leaf,  catch  and  hold  the  eye 
of  lliosc   who   [)ass. 

There  is  more  to  be  g'ained  in  this  work  than  simply  the  ini- 
pi-()\'enient  of  a  piece  of  public  property.  It  brinj^s  beauty  close 
to  Honu^  young  lives  thai  ai'e  not  much  in  touch  with  it  else- 
where— and  there  need  he  no  fear  that   it  will  not  be  api)r(M'iated. 


.\    typical    schoolyard    in    Waterloo. 

Does  one  kno^v  any  children  who  do  not  lo\e  Mowers.'  Wise 
teachers  will.  also,  draw  educational  value  fi'oni  the  planting. 
It  affords  a  rare  chance  to  make  nature  study  real  and  inti'rest- 
ing.  Preferably,  all  the  plants  should  l)e  secured  by  the  children 
themselves — as  far  as  may  be.  in  the  woods  and  country — and  set 
out  under  theii-  watchful  eyes.  The  iuMuence  of  the  bcauliful 
schoolyard  will  exteiul  far  and  appeal-  in  unsuspected  places.  In 
an  instance  of  which  I  know,  the  improvement  of  the  yard  of  a 
big  school  in  a  I'olish  Jew  quarter  was  folloAved  by  su(di  a  plant- 
ing of  the  little  home  yards  all  Ihi'ough  that  section  as  to  ti'ans- 
form  the  neiglihoi'liood.  in  llie  course  of  a  year  or  1\vo.  And 
what  did  that  mean  in  many  lives.' 

Part iculai'izing.  I  have  notes  as  to  the  existence  of  a  special 
o])portunity  at  the  Alcott  ScIkmM.  with  its  bare  but  good  sized 
yard;  at  the  HaAvthorne  Scliool.  where  there  are  fine  grounds. 
with  (juite  a  grove  in  front,  but  Avhere  the  terrace — with  all  its 
possibilities  for  beauty —  is  falling  to  pieces,  and  the  whole  aspect 
is  sad  and  neglected;  at  the  Ijowell  and  Kmerson  Schools;  at 
the  AVest  High;  of  the  need  at  the  iMainud  Training  School  of 
screening   the    heating    [)lant.    especially    from    Sixth    street,    by 


:faa»'i«S!R 


^^:^ 


i 

trees  and  shrubs;  and  oi"  llic  |)it\-  at   llic  -loliii   Kiskc  School,  not 
only  of  the  Ijurcncss  of  the  grouiuls,   hut    of  their  paucity    in   a 
1 1  seetion  of  litth»  houses  on  litth'  h)ts,  Avhere  the  population  is  so 

rapidly  growing  that  it  is  reas()nat)le  to  expect  an  addition  to  the 
school.     That  will  douhly  increase  congestion  by  absorbing  i)lay- 
ground  space  while  adding  to  the  number  of  children.     As  to  the 
*|          East  High  and  IManual  Training  Schools,  a  good  lawn  has  been        ii 
^  '5  started,  and  on  the  Sixth  street  side  two  fine  elms  have  been  left,        f% 

one  of  them  l)rancliing  ])eautifully  over  the  entrance;  l)ut  it  is  ,iO 
significant  that  with  all  the  just  pride  in  the  building.' there  has 
l>een  planted  only  one  little  shrub  on  either  side  of  the  entrances. 
At  Dubuque,  Avhich  cannot  teach  very  many  lessons  to  Waterloo, 
a  landscape  arcliitect  was  brought  from  a  long  distance  for  the 
single  purpose  of  planning  the  schoolyards.  In  Waterloo  there 
is  room  at  some  of  the  schools  for  children's  gardens. 

The  Court  House  grounds,  now  bare,  could  be  so  planted  as 
greatly  to  enhance  the  dignity  and  attractiveness  of  the  building, 
taking  away  the  look  of  rawness  it  now  has.  And  the  grounds 
of  the  two  Public  Libraries  should  teach  their  lesson  as  surel.v 
as  does  the  architecture  of  the  structures,  or  as  do  the  books  upon 
the  shelves.  I  suggest  cedar  and  other  evergreen  planting  in 
the  corners  on  either  side  of  the  entrance  porches.  > 

Not  only  are  these  improvements  worth  while  in  themselves, 
but  if  we  take  the  larger  view  of  the  city  as  a  whole,  giving 
thought  to  consistency  and  relative  values,  their  necessit}^  is 
ol)vious.  For  private  enterprise  has  given  examples  in  Waterloo  jj 
of  a  high  class  of  work  in  city  building.  The  residential  sub-  ' ' 
divisions  of  Highland  Park  and  Prospect  Hills,  representing  as 
they  do  distinct  types  of  development,  are  setting  a  standard  of 
good  taste,  beauty  and  adaptal)ility  to  purpose  that  the  com- 
munity should  ])e  ashamed  to  fall  short  of  in  numicipal  work. 
I  /  That  it  does  fall  short  in  a  good  many  particulars,  which  happily        '_ 

^m  can.  for  the  most  part,  be  easily  remedied,  I  have  tried  to  make        ^^'^ 

Y,'  <'lea)'.  and  I  ho])e  T  have  shown  how  they  can  be  remedied.     To 

the  somewhat  lengthened  list  I  nuist  add  another  item: 

The  two  snudl  parks — Washington  and  Lincoln  S(|uares — 
are  not  wliat  they  ought  to  be.     Consider  the  value  of  the  land 

which  they  comprise,  consider  their  con- 
Washington  and  spicuousness  in  the  city  plan,  consider        -> 

Lincoln  Squares  the  purpose — almost  solely  aesthetic — ■ 

of  their  existence;  then  look  at  the 
bandstand  which  has  been  erected  in  each,  and  ask  yourselves 
whether,  if  an  individual  citizen  had  recpiested  a  permit  to  con- 
struct such  a  building  in  such  a  place,  it  would  have  been  issued 
to  him.     Should  the  municipality,  in  building  for  the  public  from 


""^mmju^s:- 


-^wax& 


i  ^^ 

tlic  i)iil)rK'  ruiids.  (•(tuntciiiiiice  .structures  so  clicap  aud  poor  that 
I  it  would  refuse  1o  alloAv  an  individual  to  duplicate  them?  Is 
!         that  the  setting  of  a  (rood  example;  is  that  the  spirit  which  makes 

a  beautiful  city  or  favorably  impresses  the  stranger?   If  Waterloo 

Avere  less  good  in  other  particulars  and  less  full  of  promise,  such 

lapses  as  this  would  be  less  of  a  disappointment. 


r4i 


i^j 


J^  Lincoln  Square  is  tiat  and  conventional.     The  special   needs         ^^ 

./;''  are  a  thinning  out  of  the  trees,  and  a  use  of  clumps  of  tlowering  \h 
shrubs  and  perennials.  The  square  is  now  a  dense  grove  with 
an  occasional  flower  bed.  The  trees  interfere  with  one  another 
and  the  picture  is  out  of  harmony  with  its  setting.  Beds  of  bright 
^^  annuals  tend  to  become  mere  color  splashes  unless  they  are  very 
numerous  and  very  well  arranged,  and  those  qualities  require  a 
great  deal  of  expense  where  annuals  are  used  instead  of  per-  • 
ennials.  At  present  there  has  been  chosen  the  course  of  greatest 
danger  and  of  greatest  cost. 

Washington  Square  includes  a  considerable  slope,  which  has 
invited  a  special  and  more  interesting  development.  Unfortu- 
nately, a  few  rather  striking  faults  in  the  arrangenu'ut  have 
blinded  many  persons  to  a  good  deal  of  general  excellence  about 
the  plan.  I  would  suggest — and  this  with  great  urgency — that  ^ 
the  rock  borders  of  the  flower  beds  be  removed.  They  are  a 
relic  of  that  kindergarten  period  of  garden  making  which  is  illus- 
trated in  the  cockle  shells  of  the  Mistress  Mary  in  the  nursery 
rhyme,  and  of  the  serried  beer  bottles  of  other  environment. 
AValking  through  AVashington  Scpiare  one  has  no  reason  to  think 
that  had  beer  bottles  been  handier  than  stones  the  city  would 
have  objected  to  their  use.  As  to  the  rock  piles  around  the  trees, 
I  have  not  been  able  to  think  of  any  explanation  for  such  an  ex- 
traordinary landscape  device.  They  also  must  go.  At  the  lower, 
or  Third  street,  end  of  the  park.  I  recommend  a  border  planting 
of  low^  growing  shrubs.  This  will  serve  to  enclose  the  little  flower 
garden  and  thus  make  it  look  less  foolish ;  and  because  the  ground 
rises  so  markedly  the  shrubs  Avill  not  hide  the  park  from  the 
people  opposite,  nor  spoil  the  \iew  of  it  even  from  the  street. 
The  trees  should  be  thinned  out — a  treatment  which  usually 
evokes  protest,  but  which  is  for  the  good  of  the  trees  as  nuich  as 
for  that  of  the  park ;  and  on  the  South  street  side  a  walk  should 
be  carried  through  the  park,  directly  extending,  under  the  double 
row  of  arching  trees,  the  sidewalk  of  that  side  of  South  street. 
After  all,  the  park  exists  for  service,  and  it  is  not  keeping  the 
faith  w^hen  persons  walking  on  this  side  of  South  street  are  com- 


^^&W^^^s: 


0'* 


^^JC!^ 


aSt. 


=:^;il!/ 

'^^ 


The   double  row  of  trees   on   the   Soutli   street   side  of 
Washington   Park. 

pelled  to  cross  to  the  other  side  in  avoidance  of  the  park.  A  walk 
here  is  proper  for  the  same  reason  that  the  existing  diagonal  path 
is  desirable. 

AVith  these  suggestions  and  criticisms  out  of  our  way,  we 
may  take  up  those  larger  single  problems,  the  solution  of  which 
stamps  with  a  more  tangible  self-assertion  the  aspect  of  a  city. 
But  in  doing  this,  we  sliould  i)ause  to  consider  again  how  vitally 
the  changes  already  recommended  would  affect  the  city's  appear- 
ance and  desirability.  Were  nothing  else  than  these  things  done, 
there  would  be  a  new  and  better  Waterloo,  and  the  citizens  and 
the  Civic  Society  would  have  a  long  program  of  endeavor  ready 
for  their  zeal.  It  is  one  of  the  advantages,  however,  of  municipal 
improvement  effort,  that  there  are  as  many  ways  to  serve  a  city 
as  there  are  many  persons  with  many  interests.  Those  who  prefer 
to  bend  their  energies  to  creative  rather  than  to  corrective  work 
may  find  abundant  opportunity. 


k?5:== 


if 


k 


T^&mssssr- 


(n 


<1  City  Hall  Site  I 

Pi'i'liaps  tlic   matter  that    should   most    ai)pr()pi'iat('ly   receive         jj 
oiir  first  atteiitiuii  is  that  of  a  site  for  a  new  City  Hall.     Event-         1 
ually,  it  may  be  possi))le  to  get  it  on  the  river  bank — we  should         } 
have  a  good  site  for  it  on  the  West  side  between  the  concrete         H 
bridges,  if  the  Syndicate  Building  and  theatre  were  not  sticking 
j^2         out   like  a  parlor  screen  where,   it  is   quite  possible,  they    haxc 
^^•^  no  right  to   be.     But  for  tbe  present,  and   probably  for  a    goed  ^ 

many  years,  no  river  site  is  practicable.  ^ 

Looking  about,  then,  one  may  find  a  good  many  comnionphiee 
sites,  and  a  number  that  are  several  degrees  better  than   coii!-         jj 
monplace.     Before  mentioning  the  latter,  hoAvever,  let  it  be  ex-  |, 

plained  that  in  the  proper  conception  of  a  Citj'  Hall,  the  Police  j 

Station  is  not  included.    The  City  Hall  is  an  administrative^  build-         ^^ 
ing  only.     It  houses  with  dignity  the  executive  and  legislative         ]< 
offices  of  the  municipality  and,  as  an  arcdiitectural  expression  of         j 
the  community's  civic  ideals — wdiich  the  present  structure   cer-         !| 
tainly  is  not — it  may  be  thought  of  as  a  desirable  neighbor.  | 

One  site  which  is  better  than  commonplace  is  the  square 
bounded  by  Fifth,  Mulberry,  Sixth  and  Lafayette.  This  is  now 
very  little  improved.  On  one  side  the  Library  and  the  handsome 
fire  station  face  it;  on  another,  it  is  faced  by  the  High  School 
and  imposing  Manual  Training  School.  Location  here  would  as- 
semble together  several  public  buildings  of  the  city.  Yet  it  would 
do  this  without  desirable  cumulative  efi^ect.     So  of  another  fairly  ;, 

good  site:  the  half  block  bounded  by  Park  avenue,  and  Lafayette         '' 
and  Sycamore  streets,  and  the  backs  of  the  Fourth  street  l)uild- 
ings.     In  the  latter  case,  the  Court  House  would  be  across  the 
way  from  the  City  Hall.     There  is  distinct  convenience  in  the  I 

transaction  of  public  business  in  having  Court  House  and  City 
Hall  close  together,  and  if  thus  located  each  structure  would 
offer  an  appropriate  and  attractive  outlook  from  the  other.  Yet. 
as  one  could  not  see  them  together,  there  would  be  no  effect  of 
grouping,  it  would  be  possible,  hoAvever,  by  recessing  the  City 
Hall,  just  as  the  Court  House  is  set  back,  to  develop  the  si)ace 
lietween  them  as  a  pla/a,  and  thus  make  a  good  little  Civic  Centei-  , 

that    would  neither  occupy  much  space  nor  be  expensive.     For  jj 

this  i-eason  the  site  may  be  considered  a  moderately  good  one. 

A  third  location,  looking  to  more  ambitious  eft'ect,  would  Ix' 
at  the  corner  of  Park  avenue  and  ]Mulbei-ry  street,  facing  Lincoln 
Park.  In  this  case,  a  mall  should  be  cut  through  the  one  block, 
from  Fourth  to  Fifth  street,  paralleling  Mulberry,  at  the  distance 
of  one  tier  of  lots.     This  mall  would  center  on  the  High  School.  j 

Except  for  one  double  frame  house  on  Fourth  street  it  would 
absorb  no  property  covered  with  valuable  improvements.     Be- 


J^P. 


a»i>sssr 


ck;/    .       ■  •. '       '     ^^^^.   ■■ :rc:^arlv?3>:? 


:^M? 


:?g^"         ■■'.'•.       ■      ■    .'"'ipz..' -^r^S^EfS 


fe;^ 


ll  tAveeii  it  and  jMulberry  street  tliei-e  Avoiild  he  on  tlic  Fourth  street 
11         corner,   tlie   little    Universalisl    clnircli.    and    on    llic    Fifth    street 

corner,  a  new  and  attractive  low  apart  iiicnl   house.     My  Ihou^ht 

for  the  mall  is  a  broad  tnrf  strip,  with  walk  on  either  side.  It 
j  I         M'ould  be  carried  on  across  Lincoln  Park,  so  that  the  City  Hall 

Avonld  crown  the  vista  at  one  end,  as  Avonld  the  High  School — 
i  doubtless  some  day  to  be  replaced  by  a  better  building — at  the 

^41         other.     There  would  be  gained  an  effect  reall}^  distinctive,  which         ^^4 

in  most  cities  could  be  duplicated  only  at  a  very  heavy  cost. 
The  location  of  the  new  City  Hall  should  be  madc^  to  contril)- 

ute  to  the  impressiveness  and  beauty  of  the  city,  and  the  determi- 
[ ,  nation  of  its  site  esteemed  a  civic  opportunity  to  be  met,  not  par- 
(';  simoniously,  but  with  broad,  far-sighted  vision.  There  must  be 
^v  remembrance  that  the  City  Hall  is  to  be  the  expression  in  concrete 
\r        form,  for  years  to  come,  of  the  corporate  entity— Waterloo. 

The  Railroads 

A  most  serious  nnmicipal  prol)lem  is  presented  by  the  rail- 
roads. Physically,  Waterloo  is  strapped  and  bound  by  these  in 
exceptionally  trying  fashion,  and  there  is  possibly  nothing  which 
is  more  difficult  to  move  than  a  railroad.  Accepting  the  present 
distressing  situation — a  growing  city  compressed  and  tortured 
by  the  relentless  bounds  which  the  railroads  wound  about  it  years 
ago — what  can  be  done?  The  greatest  offenses  are,  doubtless, 
the  Illinois  Central's  river  front  loop  on  the  East  side;  the  Great 
Western's  use  of  Bluff'  street,  on  the  West  side,  as  a  portion  of  its 
main  line ;  and  the  number  and  inadequacy  of  passenger  stations. 
To  secure  even  a  measure  of  relief,  the  city  has  got  to  be  firm  in 
asking  the  railroads  to  do  a  good  deal.  It  must  realize  that  it 
has  now  grown  to  such  size  and  business  value  to  the  roads  that 
they  will  not  pass  it  by,  and  therefore  that  it  need  not  be  timid. 

The  Illinois  Central  should  be  required  to  operate  trains  i)y 
electricity  only,  on  the  river  front  loop.    If,  in  preference  to  doing         j^ 
this  in  the  case  of  certain  fast  through  trains,  it  chose  to  keep  the         ^^^ 
latter  on  the  main  line,  establishing  a  small  station  at  Fourth 
street,  the  city  might  well  acquiesce.     The  advantage  of  ridding  ., 

the  loop  of  those  trains  and  of  having  the  other  trains  on  the  jj 

loop  operated  by  smokeless  and  comparatively  quiet  electric  en- 
gines, would  l)e  ample  compensation  to  the  community  for  having 
■  )  occasionally  to  take  a  street  car.  or  stay  on  the  car  for  a 
few  blocks  longer  ride,  to  get  to  the  Fourth  street  station.  This 
requirement  of  the  railroad  would  impose  no  unreasonable  hard- 
ship. In  Waterloo's  Westfield  section,  freight  is  already  col- 
lected by  electric  motors. 

The  Great  Western  should  be  induced  to  construct  a  freight 
cut-off  by  which  its  through  freight   would  be  carried  south  of 


?SS8@>aa«^ 


^W^  ^pr^TWJPiM^ . 


k.*' 


tAvot'ii  it  and  Mulberry  street  thei'(>  would  he.  on  1lic  Fourth  street         '' 
eoruer,   the   little    Uiiiversalist    eluireh,    and    on    llic    Fiflh    street  i 

corner,  a  new  anil  attractive  low  apartment  lionsc  My  thonj^'ht 
for  the  mall  is  a  broad  turf  strip,  with  walk  on  either  side.  It 
would  be  carried  on  across  Lincoln  Park,  so  that  the  Citj^  Hall 
would  crown  the  vista  at  one  end,  as  would  the  High  School — 
doubtless  some  day  to  be  replaced  by  a  better  building — at  the 
tf"^  other.  There  would  be  gained  an  effect  really  distinctive,  which 
in  most  cities  could  be  duplicated  only  at  a  very  heavy  cost. 
The  location  of  the  new  City  Hall  sht)uld  be  made  to  contrib- 
ute to  the  impressiveness  and  beauty  of  the  city,  and  the  determi- 
nation of  its  site  esteemed  a  civic  opportunity  to  be  met,  not  par- 
1)  simoniously,  but  with  broad,  far-sighted  vision.  There  must  be 
remembrance  that  the  City  Hall  is  to  be  the  expression  in  concrete 

I  form,  for  years  to  come,  of  the  corporate  entity — AVaterloo. 

The  Railroads 

A  most  serious  numicipal  prol)h'm  is  presented  l)y  the  rail- 
roads. Physically,  AVaterloo  is  strapped  and  bound  by  these  in 
exceptionally  trying  fashion,  and  there  is  possibly  nothing  which 
is  more  difficult  to  move  than  a  railroad.  Accepting  the  present 
distressing  situation — a  growing  city  compressed  and  tortured 
by  the  relentless  bounds  which  the  railroads  wound  about  it  years 
ago — what  can  be  done?  The  greatest  offenses  are,  doubtless, 
the  Illinois  Central's  river  front  loop  on  the  East  side;  the  Great 
Western's  use  of  Bluff  street,  on  the  West  side,  as  a  portion  of  its 
main  line ;  and  the  number  and  inadequacy  of  passenger  stations. 
To  secure  even  a  measure  of  relief,  the  city  has  got  to  be  firm  in 
asking  the  railroads  to  do  a  good  deal.  It  must  realize  that  it 
has  now  grown  to  such  size  and  business  value  to  the  roads  that 
they  will  not  pass  it  by,  and  therefore  that  it  need  not  be  timid. 

I I  The  Illinois  Central  should  be  rec^uired  to  operate  trains  by 
I^J  electricity  only,  on  the  river  front  loop.  If,  in  preference  to  doing 
f^l         this  in  the  case  of  certain  fast  through  trains,  it  chose  to  keep  the 

latter  on  the  main  line,  establishing  a  small  station  at  Fourth 

street,  the  city  might  well  acquiesce.     The  advantage  of  ridding  ,. 

jl         the  loop  of  those  trains  and  of  having  the  other  trains  on  the  I 

loop  operated  by  smokeless  and  comparatively  quiet  electric  en-  ji 

gines,  Avould  be  ample  compensation  to  the  comnumity  for  having  <  . 

^}        occasionally    to    take    a    street    car,    or    stay    on    the    car    for    a 

few  blocks  longer  ride,  to  get  to  the  Fourth  street  station.     This  |j 

requirement  of  the  railroad  would  impose  no  unreasonable  hard-  j 

ship.     In  Waterloo's   Westfield   section,   freight   is   already   col-  jt 

lected  by  electric  motors.  jl 

The  Great  Western  should  be  induced  to  construct  a  freight  f  i 
cut-off  by  which  its  through  fr(Mght  would  be  carried  south  of 


5^»s»@;&^-^ 


{|         the  city,  instead  of  being:  carried  a  long  way  around,  to  wind  in 

serpentine  fashion  through  busy  city  streets.    I  append  a  diagram 

suggesting  the  approximate  line  of  such  a  cut-off.    It  would  seem 

that  tile  advantage  to  the  railroad  would  ])e  sufficient,  apart  from         |i 

the   city's  interest,   to  justify  such   construction.      The   diagram  , 

illustrates  also  that  at  Cedar  Falls,  which  before  very  long  5s 

likely  to  be  included  within  the  northern  limits  of  Waterloo,  all 

Jl,         the  railroads  come  together.     The  vacant  lands  at  that  meeting 

#•*         place   present,   therefore,   the   proper  place   for   freight   transfer 

^'ll         yards,  which  should  do  aAvay  with  much  of  the  switching  and 

j         shuttling  at  Waterloo. 

I  At  the  West  Fourth  street   crossing  of  the   Great   Western 

!'         and  Rock  Island.,  there  should  be  immediate  requirement  of  an 
overhead  footbridge,  at  least. 

As  to  a  "Union"  Passenger  station,  the  proposed  site  between 
First  and  Third  for  the  Rock  Island  and  Great  AVestern  is  fairly 
good.  With  conditions  as  they  are  in  Waterloo,  the  railroads 
are  so  located  that  any  site  will  be  pretty  central.  The  question 
of  location  is  therefore  not  as  important  as  that  of  adequacy'  of 
accommodations.  It  should  be  also  observed,  however,  that  even 
a  poor,  cheap,  inadequate  little  station  can  be  given  pleasant 
surroundings.  The  use  of  vines  and  flowers  will  do  much  to  draw 
the  traveler's  eye  from  a  hideous  little  building  and  so  give  to 
him  a  better  impression  of  Waterloo. 

The  River 

The  dominating  feature  of  Waterloo — in  ancient  days  its 
greatest  industrial  asset  and  still  its  greatest  aesthetic  asset — is 
the  river.  It  is  a  good  sign,  indeed,  that  the  people,  dissatisfied 
with  the  forlorn  and  shabby  condition  of  the  river's  banks,  have 
secured  the  appointment  of  a  River  Front  Improvement  Com- 
mission. For  a  long  time  the  more  elegant  portions  of  Waterloo. 
A  j  tucking  their  skirts  around  them,  have  drawn  away  from  the 
fm  stream,  retiring  east  or  west  from  the  margin.     But  of  late  the 

community  has  come  to  a  new  appreciation  of  the  river's  possibil- 
ities and  worth.  Up  and  down  stream,  where  practicable,  land 
has  been  reserved  for  parks ;  in  the  heart  of  the  city  two  hand- 
sonu;  bridges  have  been  thrown  across  the  streaip,  and  over  one 
,  of  them  the  people  love  to  pass  at  sunset  to  see  "the  most  beauti- 

if)        ful  city-view  in  the  United  States."     Now  comes  the  significant 
appointment  of  the  Improvement  Commission. 

The  first  duty  of  this  Commission,  as  regards  permanency  of 
results,  is  to  determine  the  location  of  the  meander  line  on  each 
side  of  the  stream.  When  this  has  been  established,  the  fee  simple 
title  to  the  bed  of  the  river  as  enclosed  between  these  lines  will 
immediately  vest  in  the  Commission,  in  trust  for  the  public,  and 


a 


-'i^^fJifS/shssr- 


4  f 


I 


I 

j  I  the  improvement  of  the  banks  will  then  be  a  comparatively  simple 

I :  matter.     But  the  determination  of  the  lines,  and  the  decision  as 

i '  to  the  policy  to  be  pursued  with  reference  to  occupied  lands  be- 

' ;  tween  the  lines,  is  not  going  to  be  so  simple  and  prompt  a  pro- 

I  i  cess.     As  soon  as  the  engineers  have  established  lines  that  will 

I  i  bear  legal  test,  expert  advice  should  be  secured  for  the  prepara- 

tion of  a  comprehensive  and  reasonable  plan  of  development.     It 

I I  is  sheer  waste  to  attempt  to  make  such  a  plan  until  the  lines  have 
I         been  absolutely  established,   and  a  map  prepared  showing  the 

meander  line,  the  mean  low  water  line,  the  mean  high  water  line, 
and  the  exact  condition  of  the  property  enclosed  and  abutting. 
I  i  With  such  a  map,  the  experts,  in  consultation  Avith  the  Commis- 
sion, can  prepare  a  satisfactory  comprehensive  plan  for  redeem- 
ing the  river  banks — making  them  not  beautiful  alone,  but  of 
j  I  active  social  service.     It  will  be  much  better  that  such  a  plan  be 

jf  j         made  by  outside  experts,  free  from  local  influence  and  prejudice,         '^ 
^f         and  accustomed  to  handling  problems  of  this  kind  in  a  large  way,        M 
than  by  the  Commission  itself.     My  suggestion  would  be  a  com-        "^ 
mittee  of  three   experts:    An   engineer,   who   has  specialized  on 
i  I  rivers ;  a  landscape  architect  and  a  city  planner.     These  three 

should  work  out  a  practicable  scheme  that  would  be  useful  and 
beautiful. 

Meanwhile,  some  things  can  be  done  at  once,  and  it  will  be  |'| 
helpful  to  anticipate  a  little.  It  will  not  be  wise  to  go  to  heavy  [' 
expense,  for  the  ultimate  plan  should  be  harmonious  through-  i ; 
out.     That  does  not  mean  that  the  development  scheme  would  be  i 

uniform;  but  it  would  not  be  patchy,  as  work  done  only  he]'(^  and  j 

I  [  there  must  be.     The  purpose  of  the  present  suggestions  is  simply        j 

j  I  to  gain  from  the  river  such  results,  in  attractiveness  and  use,  as 


V' 


^Jt\ir- 


=£Vv: 


=.Mi! 


The   scene   as   one   pauses   on    the   bridge   to   read    "the   song   of   the   river." 

are  at  once  easily  practicable,  pending  the  working  ont  of  the 
final  plan,  and,  as  far  as  possible,  to  foresee  and  prepare  for  that 
plan. 

In  doing  this,  there  is  no  need  to  expatiate  on  the  nrgency 
of  obtaining  a  general  clearing  np  of  the  banks.  This  wonld  in- 
clude the  removal  of  billboards  and  of  the  signs  painted  hideously 
on  the  blank  building  walls  that  now  come  within  th(>  meander 
line.  No  doubt  there  will  be  admission  of  the  River  Front  Im- 
provement Commission's  authority  to  order  this,  and  it  should 
order  it  and  insist  on  the  work  being  done.  That  in  itself  will 
effect  a  considerable  change;  and  when  the  banks  are  cleared  of 
their  rubbish.  Nature,  wherever  she  secures  a  foothold,  will  begin 
to  clothe  them  in  beauty.    But  for  actual  and  immediate  creative 


4 

■sSs, 


^... 


Another  view   of   the   river  shore. 


^^Jiif§»:sssr: 


^1 


'^^^K^ 


=iC5^C: 


^% 


River  bank   in  front  of  Illinois  Central   Station. 

work,  the  most  hopeful  place  just  now,  within  the  business  sec- 
tion, appears  to  be  on  the  East  side,  up  stream  from  the  dam. 
It  seems  to  be  pretty  certain  that  in  front  of  the  Illinois  Central 
station  the  Improvement  Commission  can  claim  as  nuich  as  thirty- 
seven  feet,  and  since  there  is  a  stone,  wall  here  the  shore  line  can- 
not vary  greatly.  Next,  at  Third  street,  comes  the  Water  Com- 
pany property,  giving  the  city  good  river  frontage  where,  again, 
being  above  the  dam,  the  shore  line  nuist  be  fairly  constant. 
Further  up,  there  appears  to  be  a  narrower  strip  between  the 
river  and  the  railroad.  My  suggestion  is  that — at  least  pending 
the  possibility  of  larger  plans — the  space  in  front  of  the  Illinois 
Central  station,  nearest  the  railroad,  be  planted  thickly  with  wil- 
lows; that  at  the  terminus  of  Third  street  a  boat  landing  be  made, 
and  planned  attractively;  that  in  front  of  the  Water  Company, 
and  at  the  end  of  Third  street,  back  of  the  landing,  a  small  park 
be  arranged — that  is  to  say,  the  land  leveled  off,  planted  in  grass 
and  provided  witli  plenty  of  benches.  Al)ove,  where  the  strip 
apparently  narrows,  fringing  willows  again  and.  if  it  ])e  possililc. 
a  footpath  that  shall  lead  all  the  way  to  the  park. 

The  carrying  out  of  these  suggestions  will  screen  the  most 
()])jectional)le  and  most  prominent  portions  of  th(^  railroad,  hiding 
the  waiting  cars  and  locomotives  and  the  poor  little  station,  and 
carrying  tln^  softness  and  beauty  of  the  up-stream  picture  down 
into  town.  The  volume  of  the  traffic  over  the  Fourth  street  bridge 
will  make  such  a  change  a  great  addition  to  the  charm  of  Water- 
loo. The  convenience  of  the  boat  landing  at  Third  street  is  ob- 
vious ;  and  the  social  service  of  the  little  park — where  the  people 
will  have  a  right  to  come  to  the  edge  of  the  river,  and  will  find 


II 


^ 


fcsc:: 


^Psm>s:^srx 


-^ 


=7153=: 


Ss:5/v: 


=:^J5I!,' 


I 


Possible   site  of  a  little  riverside  park  on  the  West  Side. 

seats,  where  they  can  enjoy  the  sunset  and  get  the  fresh  river 
breeze,  and  watch  the  never  tiring  picture  of  dancing  water — is 
likely  to  be  so  great  that  we  must  extend  it,  up  stream  and  doAvn 
stream,  as  far  as  we  can.  It  is  very  likely  that  back  from  the 
river  wall — in  front  of  the  station — there  would  be  room  for  a 
number  of  seats,  as  well  as  for  the  planting. 

On  the  West  bank  the  situation  is  nuich  more  difficult,  pend- 
ing the  working  out  of  an  ambitious  scheme.  It  is  to  be  noted, 
however,  that  the  new  and  handsome  Postoffice  building  is  only 
a  block  from  the  river,  and  that  the  Nauman  Company,  which  oc- 
cupies the  intervening  space  on  the  river  bank,  is  reported  as 
about  to  move  to  another  site.  The  opportunity  certainly  should 
not  be  lost  to  acquire  this  intervening  land,  so  that  by  parking 
it  the  Postoffice  grounds  may  appear  to  slope  down  to  the  river. 
By  good  fortune  this  improvement  is  directly  opi)osite  that  pro- 
posed for  the  East  side,  and  thus  each  would  contribute  attract- 
iveness to  the  other.  Through  this  improvement,  the  West  side 
as  well  as  the  East,  would  have  its  river  park  in  the  down  town 
section,  and  here  again  a  boat  landing  might  be  arrangcnl. 

Below  the  Fourth  street  bridge,  I  am  inclined  to  think  that 
the  ultimate  plan  will  provide  for  a  new  street  from  Fifth  street 
to  Bridge  street,  paralleling  Commercial,  and  npproximately  on 
the  line  of  the  alley  seen  from  Bridge  street.  ]\ly  thought  is  that 
on  the  river  side  this  street  should  be  open,  with  a  balustrade 
protection,  carrying  out  the  scheme  of  the  new  Fifth  street  bridge, 
presenting  a  very  imposing  appearance  and  undoubtedly  offering 
an  exceedingly  popular  promenade.    The  sites  on  the  west  side  of 


kj5C= 


r?»a»@«ss!sr; 


'j> 


^ 
%' 


^ 


k 


i 


^  the  street,  or  promenade,  should  be  in  good  demand.     If  it  were 

possible,  as  I  suggested  with  regard  to  the  City  ?Tall,  to  get  a 
public  building  there,  with  the  new  street  for  frontage,  the  effect 
would  be  much  enhanced.  Or  that  space  might  be  terraced  up, 
to  make  an  out-of-doors  cafe  and  terrace  for  a  good  hotel,  that 
would  front  on  Commercial  street.  On  the  other  side  of  the  river 
there  are  some  vacant  spaces  between  buildings  that  can  be  made 
of  service  simply  by  cleaning  them  of  rubbish,  filling  in  and  plant 
*i|  ing.  and  the  provision  of  benches.  Such  spaces,  and  all  the  river  f,^ 
front  improvement,  should  be  well  lighted.  The  so-called  "boule- 
vard lamp" — a  single  globe  on  a  short  standard — would  be  a 
suitable  fixture,  and  the  reflection  in  the  water  of  the  long  lines 
of  these  lights  on  the  East  side  will  be  -not  the  least  attractive 

v^         feature  of  the  proposed  improvement.    For  the  region  below  Fifth 

Q         street,  I  shall  make  suggestions  when  discussing  the  park  system. 

••! 

j  The  Park  System 

!  I  In  the  acquirement  of  lands  for  parks,  Waterloo  has  made  a 

, ;  good  start.  The  acquisitions  are  not  yet  so  complete  as  to  form 
that  well-rounded  park  system  to  which  the  growing  city  must 
look  forward,  nor  have  they  as  yet  had  much  development.  But 
the  park  provisions  of  the  charter  give  generous  opportunity, 
much  has  been  done,  and  the  need  is  for  civic  courage — of  which  l^ 
the  display  in  the  past  augurs  well  for  the  future — and  of  knowl-  f^ 
edge  of  what  to  do. 

I  have  suggested  that  the  improvement  of  the  east  river  bank 

should  bring  into  the  very  business  center  a  walking  entrance 

at  least  to  Cedar  River  Park.    Boats  also  may  be  taken  from  the 

heart  of  the  town,  and  as  the  driving  approach  lies  through  level, 

pleasant  and  well-paved  streets,  this  close-in  park  may  be  said 

to  have  excellent  town  connections.  |j 

f 
It  IS  impracticable  here  to  go  into  details  regarding  the  land-         <*». 

scape  development  of  the  tract ;  but  at  least  it  may  be  suggested        ^^ 
that  the  cleared,  high  and  approximately  level  area  to  the  north 
of  (>xtended  Park  Road,  between  that  and  Fullerton  avenue,  west         ' ; 
of  the  cemetery,    should    make    admirable    playing    fields.     The 
younger  children  can  be  accommodated  in  the  grove,  nearer  the 
river.    The  former  space  should  be  reserved  for  tennis  courts  and 
ball  diamonds.     Of  tlie  social  service  which  a  park  system  may 
perform  for  a  community,  hardly  anything  is  of  greater  import-         , 
ance  than  the  opportunity  it  should  give  to  youth  for  healthful 
exercise. 

With  that  thought  in  mind,  boating  on  the  river  is  to  be  en- 
couraged. From  so  precious  a  public  asset  the  community  must 
obtain  the  maximum  of  use.    To  some  extent,  too.  our  busy  people         j  | 


^i&ms^sr. 


\^ 


4^ 


'4  3^? 

need  to  be  taught  to  play,  and  this  is  a  legitimate  enterprise  for 
:         the  Park  Commission.     For    example,    every    season    Waterloo 

!!         should  have  its  municipal  river  fete  when  Ihe  shore  lines  above         I 
the  dam  will  l)e  hung  with  Japanese  hinterns.  Avhen  all  the  boats 
of  the  river  will  l)e  out.  each  with  lanterns,  to  form  a  Venetian- 

I  like  procession,  winding  up  one  shore  and  down  the  otlier.     There  j 

'  should  be  music — a  band;  and  perhaps  singers  in  l)oats  fastened 
together;  and  there  may  be  a  prize  for  the  most  oeautifully  d(M'- 
orated  ri-aft.  All  this  costs  little  mone.w  but  it  will  bi'iiig  imich 
to  the  citizens  and  nuich  to  AVaterloo. 

j  It  should  be  noted,  too.  that  thtu'c  is  the  promise  of  an  ex- 

[  ceptionally  attractive  driving  entrance  to  Cedar  Kiver  Park,  over 

the  little  concrete  bridge  that  spans  Virden  Creek  at  Lafayette 
street.     The  whob'  situation  there  is  going  to  be  extraordinarily 
good  when  the  dump  has  been   completi'd.     The  one   danger   is 
the  condition  between  the  railroad  and  the  old  ice  house,  and  the 
future  of  that  building.    I  think  the  conspicuousness  of  the  corner         j 
will  justify   the   eomnuinity   in   accjuiring   the   creek's   southeast 
border  from  Mulberry  street  to  the  river,  so  includiug  in  its  tak- 
ings the  old  building.     To  make  a  park  on  one  side  of  a  narroAV 
body  of  water  and  not  to  control  the  other  side  is  a  pretty  (bui- 
gerous  experiment.     Fortunately  the   south   side   of   Park   Road 
l)etween  Broadway  and  St.   Albans    street — which    is    privately 
owned  and  would  be  expensive  to  acquire — is  separated  by  a  con-         r 
siderable  breadth  of  water,  and  the  surroundings,  when  the  fill         \ 
has  been  completed,  will  invite  improvements  of  pleasing  char-         1 
acter — probably  gardens  sloping  to  the  water,  as  frontage  on  the         1 
railroad  would  not.     In  fact,  this  opportunity  to  develop  private 
property  on   the  south  side  of  Park   Poad   will   pro])aldy  prove 
an   excellent   instance   of   the   comnnuiity's    r('coui)ni('nt    of  park 
expenditures  by  increased  assessments. 

Driving   through    the    park,    one    comes    to    the    Cliaut<iu(|ua 
grounds,  and  tlien  into  tlie  parklike  sulxlivision  l)eyond — known 
as   Cedar   Park   Addition.     This  is  an   attractive   piece   of   Uuid. 
witli  its  irregular  surface  and  its  saved  trees,  though  the  lack  of 
sewerage  and  of  l)uilding  restrictions  has   naturally   resulted   in         i 
cheap   construction.      But   the   place   is   (piite   worth    seeing,    the         I 
river  is  beautiful  as  always,  and  the  further  shore — on  which  is         I 
Sans  Souci — makes  an  interesting  and  lovely  picture.     The  rivei'- 
side  drive,  which  has  come  so  far  and  attractively,  should  be  con- 
tinued forthwith  on  Cedar  Bend  Road  to  the  point,  at  least,  where 
the  river  and  existing  road  part  company.     And  at  once,  before 
it  is  too  late,  the  city  should  acquire  the  land  that  lies  between 
the  road  and  river.     One  house  was  going  up  at  the  time  of  my 
visit,  but  for  the  most  part  the  available  portion  of  the  building 


A    view    in    (_  cdar  I'ark    Addition 


lots  is  so  narrow  that  only  the  choapost  constrnction  can  be  antici- 
pated— just  the  kind  to  spoil  the  charm  of  the  drive.  In  acquir- 
ing this  land  and  preserving  its  natural  beauty,  it  is  interesting, 
therefore,  to  reflect  that  the  lots  on  the  other  side  of  Cedar  Bend 
Road  are  likely  to  be  given  so  nuieh  more  value  than  they  Avould 
have  if  the  narrow  strip  were  poorly  built  upon  that  the  aggre- 
gate value  of  one  tier  will  probably  be  more  than  the  aggregate 
value  of  two  tiers.  Neither  city  nor  land  owners  would  lose  any- 
thing. 

On  the  West  side,  Prospect  Park  is  situated  on  high  ground 
far  back  from  the  river.  It  has  a  beautiful  site;  is  perfectly 
adapted  to  its  neighborhood,  and  the  plans  for  its  development, 
so  far  as  I  was  able  to  perceive,  were  in  good  taste,  suitable  to 
the  ground  and  to  the  use  Avhich  will  be  made  of  this  park.  Its 
contrast  with  Cedar  River  Park  will  be  distinct.  There  will  be 
no  rivalry,  no  overlapping  of  service.  P^ach  park  supplem<'nts  the 
other. 

In  time,  of  course,  there  nuist  come  a  i);ii"l<  (1ri\'e  coiiiieclion 
between  them.  My  judgment  is  that  there  is  no  immediate  hui'ry 
as  to  this.  But  it  would  be  well  to  secure  promptly  a  good  drive 
from  Prospect  Park's  lower,  or  northern,  end  to  Black  Hawk 
Road.  This  is  a  distance  of  only  three-quarters  of  a  mile,  through 
property  for  the  most  part  undeveloped,  where  I  should  expect 
ihe  right-of-way  to  be  given,  and  it  will  save  a  very  long  drive 
through  city  streets.  Black  Hawk  Road  reached,  there  is  now 
no  diHticulty  in  the  use  of  existing  highways  to  the  bridge  which 
connects  Sans  Souci  with  Cedar  Park  Addition.  The  circuit  park 
driA^e  of  future  days  will  probably  require  a  new  route  avoiding 


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the  factory  district,  but  for  the  present  it  will  be  well  to  await 
developments  in  the  Westfield  and  adjoining  sections. 

South  from  Prospect  Park  developments  can  at  present  he 
much  more  confidently  foreseen.  The  way  lies  pleasantly  thi-on^h 
l*rospect  Hills  Addition  to  the  line  of  Easton  avenue,  extended. 
This  is  a  long  street,  of  great  driving  importance  for  the  future, 
and  it  lies  through  open  country.  Its  platted  width  of  sixty  and 
sixtv-six  feet  should  be  increased  to  eighty,  at  least.    As  it  is  un- 


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Easton   Avenue.      To   widen    it   to   the   boulevard   minimum    of   eighty   feet    seems 
not   difficult   today. 

likely  that  the  road  will  ever  carry  ear  traeks,  that  width  will 
do — l)nt  it  should  be  accepted  as  a  minimum. 

Easton  avenue  at  its  eastern  end  reaches  the  river.  From 
here,  up  stream  to  the  new  park  lands  opposite  Cortlandt  Park, 
the  city  has  had  the  princely  gift  of  a  hundred-foot  strip  along 
the  river  for  a  drive.  The  probability  is  that  few  persons  in  Wa- 
terloo know  how  beautiful  is  the  scenery,  or  how  remarkable 
the  opportunity  for  the  inexpensive  construction  here  of  a  river 
view  drive  of  surpassing  loveliness. 

Though  the  strip  measures  a  hundred  feet  from  the  meander 
line,  my  suggestion  is  that  the  roadway  itself  be  in  no  place  over 
thirty  feet  wide,  and  generally  not  over  twenty.  The  latter 
allows  space  for  the  two  largest  touring  cars  to  pass,  with  ample 
room  to  spare;  and  there  would  be  great  danger  that  a  wide  road 
would  destroy  the  sylvan  charm.  Only  a  couple  of  slight  fills  are 
necessary;  the  natural  grade  is  all  that  could  be  wished,  and 
though  I  went  over  the  route  at  a  time  of  high  water,  there  was 
no  overflow  of  the  dyke  on  which  the  road  will  be.  The  gift 
includes  two  park  sites. 

There  are  three  things  which  the  city  shoukl  do:  It  should 
annex  the  little  strip  between  the  county  line  and  tlie  river  bend, 
north  from  Easton  avenue's  intersection  of  the  river.  The  ob.iect 
of  this  would  be  to  put  the  entire  property  under  rity  control. 
It  should  turn  over  the  whole  strip  to  the  care  of  the  Riverfront 
Improvement  Commission  or  to  the  Park  Commission,  to  the  end 
that  it  may  be  the  park  drive  that  it  ought  to  be.  And,  finally, 
an  intercepting  sewer  should  be  built.  It  would  appear  that  by 
acquiring  the  unused  old  mill  race,  and  laying  the  sewer  in  that, 
the  cost  would  be  reduced  to  a  minimum,  and  the  enjoyment  of 
the  drive — a  truly  remarkable  possession — made  certain.     AVhen 


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.\   Spring  morning  on   Riverview   Drive. 

these  things  have  been  done,  and  tlic  lovely  di'ivc.  and  wjdk.  is 
appreciated  because  in  use.  there  will  come  a  jnstiiiable  demand 
for  a  liridge  that  shall  connect  this  drive  with  Cortlandt  Park. 
But  even  before  that,  the  opportunity  should  be  availed  of  to 
carry  the  drive  on  n])  stream,  as  so  easily  can  be  done  t()(hiy. 
The  one  l)loek  that  offers  any  difficulty  or  expense  below  tlie 
Eleventh  Street  liriilge  is  that  between  P]leventh  and  Twelftl; 
streets.  Here  the  lots  vary  from  a  depth  of  only  132  feet  at  the 
corner  of  Eleventh  to  a  depth  of  about  175  feet  at  the  cornet-  of 
TAvelfth.  That  is  to  say.  the  space  is  so  restricted  that  if  a  park- 
wav  driv(;  were  laid  along  the  river,  the  lots  on  Black  ILnvk 


.  P1 


Wliere  too   wide  a  ro.id   woulil   spoil   tlio   cliarni. 


— ^ — ■'^^Tb^ 


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The   dry   roadway   on   the   dyke   even   at   high   water. 

street  for  this  ])l()ck  avouUI  Ix'  given  sueh  sliallowiiess  as  to  offer 
no  frontage  to  the  river  drive.  There  would  l)e  simply  baek 
yards.  It  Avill  thert^'orc  Ix'  hest  to  acquire  these  lots  entire. 
The  extra  space  can  be  very  attractively  laid  out  in  park.  Avith  a 
useful  playground  at  the  broader  end.  and  the  turn  into  Eleventh 
street  and  to  the  bridge  made  the  easier  by  the  additional  room. 
The  property  is  now  inexpensively  improved.  Above  the  Elev- 
enth street  ])ridge.  the  space  is  broader  again  and  there  appears 
once  more  to  1)e  no  serious  difficulty  until  one  gets  to  p]ighth 
street.  The  drive  should,  of  course,  ])e  carried  up  as  fai'  as  prac- 
ticable. 

On  the  East  side,  the  most  pressing  need  in  tlie  way  of  a 
drive  is  the  simple  one  of  developing  a  good  street  that,  free  from 
car  tracks,  shall  lead  from  the  more  eastern  portion  of  Cortlandt 
Park  to  Independence  avenue.  Thence  the  way  would  lie  l)aek  to 
town  by  that  handsome  thoroughfare,  or  into  attractive  Highland 
Park  Addition,  or.  for  further  circuit  drive,  out  Independence 
avenue  to  Idaho  street  and  then  north  on  that  to  Newell  avenue 
which,  with  its  fine  views  of  the  eity.  would  bring  one  bark  to 
town.  For  still  longer  eireuit.  one  could  tuvu  north  again  at 
Barclay  street  and  reacli  in  about  a  third  of  a  mile  the  pai'k  that 
some  day  will  have  to  he  established  on  the  line  of  N'ii-deii  Ci-eek. 
north  from  Lester  streel. 

This  is  a  beautiful  tract,  admirably  situated — midway  be- 
tween the  parks  up  the  river  and  down  the  river,  and  in  the  direct 
line  of  the  city's  rapid  northward  growth.  Topographically,  it 
is  full  of  charm.  The  ravine  in  which  is  the  creek  will  make  a 
lovely  di'ive  that  passes  naturally  under  the   railroad — which  is 


k?5;:= 


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*5fia@>;sssr:2: 


— "^o^ 


4' 


Where   winter   lingered   in   the   cool    north  woods   and   gnarled   oaks   were 
silhouetted  against   the   sky. 

onl}'  a  single  track  that  is  little  used — and  i-arries  one  to  a  grove 
of  gnarled  old  oaks  that  presents  a  unique  and  charming  land- 
scape picture  holding  out  alluring  invitation  to  picnics.  -On  the 
southern  end  of  the  plat,  there  is  a  good  opi)ortunity  for  the  de- 
velopment of  those  play  and  athletic  fields  for  which  the  char- 
acter of  the  advancing  population  makes  demand.  From  certain 
advantageous  points,  also,  there  is  unfolded  a  picture  of  the  city 
so  complete  and  beautiful  as — from  the  civic  standpoint  alone — 
to  be  well  worth  preserving. 

With  a  park  here,  there  eventually  should  be  created  a  direct 
diagonal  drive  southeast,  to  Idaho  street,  and  southwest,  via  the 
line  of  Virden  Creek,  to  connect  with  Cedar  River  Park.  The 
latter  drive  would  be  developed  distinctly  as  a  parkway.  It 
probably  is  that  solution  of  the  Virden  Creek  problem  which  in 
the  end  will  have  to  be  reached.  The  question  will  need,  of 
course,  to  be  worked  out  by  engineers  who  have  full  data  as  to 
the  watershed  drained,  Ihe  maximum  flood  stage  to  be  consid- 
ci-cd,  etc.,  but  probably  it  means  the  construction  of  a  large  con- 
duit, over  the  top  of  which  the  ])arkway  road  would  be  laid. 
(til  citlicr  side  there  Avould  be  sul'Hcicnt  ])lanting  to  shut  out  the 
liltlc  hack  yards  and  make  the  drive  beautiful.  The  expense  \\  ill 
lie  heii\y.  but  the  benefits  sliould  more  than  compensate. 

Willi  lliis  drive  there  is  completed  a  reasonably  satisfactcu-y 
''park  and  boulevard  circuit.''  with  the  park  units — all  but  one 
of  them  already  established — ideally  located,  both  as  to  distribu- 
tion and  as  to  topography.  The  system  will  be  varied  in  its  feat- 
ures, easilv  accessible,  will  conserve  the  na1iir;il   resource's  of  the 


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city  as  regards  scenery  and  reci-eative  opportunities,  and  will  be 
inexpensive  to  develop.  If  it  has  a  weak  feature  it  is  in  regai'd 
1o  playii'rounds. 

1  tlierefore  recommend  tliat  in  additit)n  to  the  sehoolyard 
playgrounds  for  small  chiklren  and  to  the  playing  fields  that  are 
to  be  especially  developed,  as  described,  in  Cedar  River  Park,  in 
Cortlandt  Park,  in  the  proposed  park  at  the  end  of  Barclay  street. 
and — for  younger  children — on  the  west  river  bank  between 
Eleventh  and  Twelfth  streets,  there  be  the  following:  A  res<M-- 
vation  in  the  Westfield  section  Mhere  the  factory  employes  vi\\\ 
play  ))all  and  indulge  in  healthful  sports:  a  childi'cn's  up-to-dat"- 
playground  in  the  fast  developing  Rose  Hill  section;  and  a  play- 
ground on  Randall  street,  in  the  First  Ward. 

With  reference  to  the  former,  the  Westtield  section  is  build- 
ing up  rapidly.  There  is  a  good  deal  of  open  ground  now,  but 
that  condition  will  not  long  continue,  and  a  reservation  for  play 
purposes  w^ill  give  to  those  who  make  it — if  it  be  made  privately 
by  employers — a  direct  return  in  contented  and  efficient  labor. 
As  to  the  Randall  street  site,  my  suggestion  is  a  supervised  play- 
ground for  small  children,  in  the  block  bounded  l)y  Randall  and 
Wellington.  Norimer  and  IMurphy  streets.  The  photograph  giv(^s 
a  suggestion  of  how  thi^  homes  are  marching  battalion  fashion 
around  this  vet  vacant  site. 


W 


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l>y  omitting  from  the  playground  taking  about  forty  feel 
on  the  east  and  west  sides  of  the  block,  there  would  be  left  one 
building  lot  with  Randall  street  frontage  on  each  side  of  tlu' 
tract,  so  considerably  reducing  the  playground  cost,  while  the 
playgi'ound  takings  would  then  be  confined  to  the  high  ground — 
Avhich  is  the  best  possible  playground  site,  being  well  drained, 
cool  and  conspicuous — but  of  little  value  for  building,  since  for 
that  use  it  would  have  to  be  cut  down.  The  strips  which,  on 
the  other  hand,  I  have  suggested  might  be  omitted,  are  noAv  at 
street  grade  and  therefore  Avell  adapted  for  l)uildiug  purposes, 
while  too  nuich  below  the  rest  of  the  tract  to  be  of  playground 


-rrssssaits^*^ 


\alu('.     J  iii;i\'  ;i(l(l.  in  this  coiiticcl  ion.  thai    xarioiis  nci-soiis  calliMl         j^^ 
my  attention   to  the  tine  ^rovc  on    Hluiwood  a\i'nnc.   west    of   Lo- 
cust street.     In  uiy  judynieiit  the  presei-xat  ion  of  this  would  per- 
foi-iu    nothing'    like    the    social    service    to    the    coiiiinunity    which 
would  be  performed  hy  the  playground  a  few  blocks  away. 

Before  dismissing  the  subject  of  i)ai'ks.  a  word  may  l)e  added 
as  to  cemeteries.     They  are  too  small,  too  many,  and  too  close  in. 
^  1  understand  that  there  is  a  project  now  for  establishing  a  good 

»jj  cemetery  on   the   East   side,   fui'thei-   out   than   the   city  has   now 

^^  grown.     Without   expi'essing  an  oi)iiiion  as  to  the  particular  site 

.!  proi)Osed.  1  want  to  endorse  \-ery  heartily  a  movement  looking  to 

;;  the  correction  of  a  condition  which  nuist  soon  prove  serious.     On 

jl  the  West  side  the  property  lying  in  the  bend  of  the  river,  east  of         ;j 

\J  the   Rock   Island   tracks   and   west   of  the    |)r(»posed    river   drive. 

p?         would  seem  well  located  for  cemetery  use. 

In  revicAV,  the  park  system   project   will  undoubtedly   seem         n 
ambitious.     But  that  is  a  tribute  to  its  completeness.     And  the  I 

really  remarkable  feature  of  the  situation,  considering  the  size  ! 
of  AVatin'loo  and  the  ncAvness  of  the  park  interest,  is  the  large 
amount  that  has  been  already  done  to  r(>alize  a  system  that  will 
give  such  satisfactory  results,  serving  all  parts  of  the  city  in  so 
comprehensive  a  manner.  It  Avould  be  unjust  to  the  connnuiiity 
to  imply  that  Inning  gone  so  far.  having  exercised  so  much  cour- 
age and  foresight,  and  spent  so  much  money  with  small  return 
in  pleasure,  it  Avill  suddenly  gro^v  weary,  timid  and  stingy.     The  , 

charter  offers,  as  I  have  said,  the  facilities  for  carrying  out  the         j| 
whole  project:  and  park  commission  and  public  have  shoAvn  the 
stuff  of  which  they  are  made.     But  perha]is  it  may  be  well,  as         M 
suggesting   that    pi'ivale   benefactions    may    well    sup|)lement    the 
pul)lic  expenditures,  to   refer  to  the  not   distant   city  of  Madison. 
l!  Wisconsin,   which   has  the  same  i)oi»ulation  as   has   Waterloo,      in 

the    last    seventeen    years,    beginning    when     M.ulison    had    oidy 
J  l:^()()()    iidiabitants.    the    people    there    ha\c    cont ril)ut<'d    thriuigh 

Mt!  i)opular   subscription    a    (|i'artei-   of   a    million    dollars   to    pi'o\'i(le         f.4 

'  parks.   (lri\"es   and    playgrounds,      'i'liis   su.ui    has    been   given   to   a 

private  association,  such  as  the  (ivic  Society  in  Watei'loo.  there 
not  being  in  .'\Iad!s(Mi  the  oppoi'tunity  to  do  the  work  in  the  easier  j 

municipal  wa.w     And  the  most   notal)le  thing  about   the  subsci'ip-  j 

lion  is  lis  democialic  (  haractei'.  The  mei'c  sending  out  of 
postal  cards  last  \i'ai-.  in  a  cit\'  of  25. ()()()  population,  brought  in 
>f'4.S()(t  lor  this  wdrk.  and  of  the  sul)sci  ipl  ions  which  made  up  that  ^' 

jl  subslanlial  fund  theie  weie  only  six  thai  exceeded  .^25  in  amount. 

in  all.  a  tlousand  i»ei>ons  snbsci'ibed.  and  half  of  the  number 
gave  $.")  or  ie^s.  and  for  1  !■  ■  one  yeai'  the  lota!  of  gifts  was  .^^30.( >()().  ! 

II  These    ligures    may    well    gi\-e    Waterloo   something   to   think    of.         ' 

I  is  it  wonderful  tluit  little  .Madison  is  now  known  and  talked  of 

wherever  there  is  interest  in  civic  work? 


1 


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Street  Extensions 


=iC5iPv= 


AVith  the  park  coiiiicctioiis  and  circuit  drive  well  planned, 
street  extensions  need  not  long  detain  us.  These  ai-e  clian<ics 
that  must  be  made  charily,  for  they  are  the  most  expeiisi\-e  of  all. 
Happily,  the  street  system  of  AVaterloo  is.  on  the  wiiole.  con- 
venient, sufficiently  Nai'ied  to  avoid  monotony,  and  yet  free  from 
confusion.  The  two  or  three  most  desirabh'  changes  invohc 
even  now  a  cost  that  is  prohibitive.  Such  changes  would  be.  for 
instance,  the  straightening  of  the  Fourth  street  jog,  a1  Commer- 
cial street,  on  the  West  side ;  the  extension  of  Hammond  street 
to  Commercial,  that  it  might  l)ecome  a  valuable  diagonal';  and  on 
the  East  side  the  connection  of  Walnut  street  and  Park  Road,  to 
aft'ord  a  pleasantly  convenient  approach  to  Cedar  River  Park. 
Early  in  the  history  of  its  municipal  development  as  AVaterloo  is 
obtaining  this  City  Plan  Report,  these  changes  have  become  im- 
practical. That  fact  should  give  the  citizens  courage  to  do 
(juickly  what  may  yet  ])e  done. 

The  extension  of  Independence  avenue  to  Sixth  street,  at 
the  Manual  Training  School,  is  a  very  desirable  improvement 
which  still  is  practicable.  The  property  is  chea[)ly  improved. 
The  advantages  are:  The  giving  to  Independence  a\enue  of  that 
same  pleasant  connection  with  Franklin  street  which  it  now  has 
wnth  AValnut ;  the  decided  shortening  of  distance  from  the  busi- 
ness section  of  toAvn  to  the  high-class  residence  section  of  which 
Independence  avenue  is  a  main  artery;  the  increased  attractive- 
ness of  the  route;  the  shortening  of  the  distance  Ix'tAveen  the 
schools  and  the  homes;  and,  by  centering  the  axis  of  the  extended 
street  on  the  handsome  Manual  Training  School,  the  oix'iiing  of 
a  fine  and  imposing  view  of  that — a  view  which  would  not  only 


Southeast    LiiiiiLi    .if    >iv<.ntli    and    Franklin    streets.       ( )l)Structions    to    extending 
Independence  avenue   are  not   prohibitive. 


-:'*5a«@>saB!s^ 


1} 


A' 


^c 


rropeity    oiiposite    the    Sixth,    stieul    fiKi    of   the    Manual    Training    SchouL 
Even   this  should  not   halt    Independence   avenue. 

help  the  school  but  would  also  g'we  interest  and  attraction  to  the 
avenue.  Were  the  City  Hall  located  on  Park  avtMuie  opposite 
Lincoln  Square  and  the  Mall  scheme  carried  out,  this  Independ- 
ence avenue  improvement  would  be  its  complement  and  extension. 
It  is  true  that  there  is  the  objection  of  the  railroad  crossing, 
but  that  exists  under  the  present  condition. 

A  demand  is  appearing  already  for  a  new  bridge  which  shall 
carry  Park  avenue  across  the  river,  and  a  very  ereditable  oppo- 
sition has  sprung  up.  basing  its  objection  on  the  belief  that  the 
beautiful  rivei'  view  will  be  spoiled.  It  is  a  stirring  thing  to  see 
aesthetic  considerations  liolding  in  check  practical  commercial 
claims — though  the  extraordinary  l)eauty  of  the  view  in  question 
is  explanation.  I  am  not  sure  that  \hovv  would  be  any  serious 
loss  of  beauty.  The  view  from  the  Fourth  street  l)ridge  would 
be  sacrificed,  but  it  -would  l)c  ol)tained  again  in  the  vieAv  from  the 
new  Park  a\'cmic  Itiidge.  The  ditference  Avould  be  the  omission, 
from  the  latter  i)icture.  of  the  dam  and  rapid  Avatcr  in  the  fore- 
gi'oiind.  There  are  many  sumniei-  weeks  when  the  volume  of 
wale)'  i)assing  over  the  dam  is  ])i(il);ibly  not  enough  to  give  par- 
ticular beauty  to  that  foreground,  and  even  at  the  high  water 
stage,  which  was  existent  during  iii\-  visit,  the  charm  of  the  pic- 
lure — largely  a  matter  of  its  sudden  and  appealing  contrast  to 
urban  conditions,  while  at  the  very  center  of  the  city — is  not  lost 
by  eliminating  the  dam.  T  trit^l  the  experiment  by  taking  such 
position  on  the  lower  side  of  the  l)ridge  as  to  carry  tlie  eye  to  the 
river  above  the  dam.  about  as  it  would  get  the  scene  were  one 
standing  on  the  line  of  Park  avenue  exti'iided.  Yet  the  experi- 
ment would  involve,  if  failing,  so  grievous  a  loss  to  the  comnuinitv 


r?$!afii<i«aBS^ 


NEWELL      ST. 


PARK  SYSTEM 

FOR    WATERLOO,    IOWA 


GREEN  —  Existing  Parks 


BLUE  —Waterways 

CHARLES  MULFORD  ROBINSON 


^H\^ 


•  •••••  •       ••»••■ 


Present  view   frum  the   Fuurlh  street   bridge,  looking  up  stream  when  the  river   is   high. 


n 


Same  view  from  the  south  side  of  the  bridge,  with  the  railing  cutting  off  the  foreground. 

that  it  will  be  well,  indeed,  not  to  try  it  unless  the  need  becomes 
very  great. 

It  would  seem  quite  practicable  to  await  a  determination 
of  the  River  Improvement  Commission's  plans.  The  mill  build- 
ing on  the  east  side  of  the  Fourth  street  bridge  is  very  old,  and 
probably  past  bracing  up.  A  structure  for  such  purpose  in  so 
central  a  location  is  only  a  survival.  A  new  mill  will  not  be 
built  there.  The  probabilities  are  that  a  not  distant  future  will 
see  the  strongly  constructed  mill  building  on  the  West  side  ex- 
tended to  the  street  and  changed  into  a  commercial  building,  and 
that  the  mills  on  the  East  side  will  make  way  for  a  little  poAver 
house,  where  the  water  power  will  be  used  to  generate  electricity. 
If  that  were  done,  and  the  Improvement  Committee  establislied 
ground  rights  on  the  premises,  a  triangular  plaza  might  perhaps 
be  built  over  the  power  house,  and  the  Fourth  street  bridge  thus 
be  made  to  serve  Park  avenue  almost  as  directly — thanks  to  its 
angle — as  it  now  serves  Fourth  street.  If  the  Commission  could 
work  out  some  such  plan,  the  need  for  a  new  bridge  would  be 
practically  destroyed.     Certainly  it  will  be  well  to  wait. 


te;:: 


5*>Ks«@>asssri 


V! 


^^^IC^ 


-^  •  I  •  r  I  •  •      ^-ii  •  •  • 


•.<. 

^ 


Present  view   Iruin  tlic   F<jurth   bliecl   bi'idge,   looking  up   stream  when  the  river   is   high. 


i 


Same  view  from  the  south  side  of  the  bridge,  with  the  railing  cutting  off  the  foreground. 

that  it  will  be  well,  indeed,  not  to  try  it  unless  the  need  becomes 
very  great. 

It  Avould  seem  quite  practicable  to  await  a  determination 
of  the  River  Improvement  Commission's  plans.  The  mill  build- 
ing on  the  east  side  of  the  Fourth  street  bridge  is  very  old,  and 
probably  past  bracing  up.  A  structure  for  such  purpose  in  so 
central  a  location  is  only  a  survival.  A  new  mill  will  not  be 
built  there.  The  probabilities  are  that  a  not  distant  future  will 
see  the  strongly  constructed  mill  building  on  the  "West  side  ex- 
tended to  the  street  and  changed  into  a  commercial  building,  and 
that  the  mills  on  the  East  side  will  make  way  for  a  little  power 
house,  where  the  water  power  will  be  used  to  generate  electricity. 
If  that  were  done,  and  the  Improvement  Committee  esta])lisliod 
ground  rights  on  the  premises,  a  triangular  plaza  might  perhaps 
be  built  over  the  power  house,  and  the  Fourth  street  bridge  thus 
be  made  to  serve  Park  avenue  almost  as  directly — thanks  to  its 
angle — as  it  now  serves  Fourth  street.  If  the  Commission  could 
work  out  some  such  plan,  the  need  for  a  new  bridge  would  be 
practically  destroyed.     Certainly  it  will  be  well  to  wait. 


^S}S^ 


^^JimtS'^'tsr- 


=i:K^ 


A 


^ 


<«  p> 

^1  At  its  eastern   end,  1   hope   Park  avenue   may  be  extended         !<' 

the  few  feet  across  a  yet  vacant  lot  wliich  would  carry  it  to 
Fourth  street.     The  small  interveniuf^'  triangle  wouhl  he  i)ark('d. 
The   extension,   slight  as  it  is,   -would  ho  a  real   convenience   to 
north-bound   travel,   or  to  travel   fi-om   the   north,   and   wliile    it 
would  not  give  to  Park  avenue  the  architectural  accent   that  it 
might  have  had  if  the  tower  of  the  Baptist  church  had  been  placed         H 
at  the  other  end  of  the  structure  from  where  it  is,  still  it  would         'A> 
^;^         insure  the  broad  avenue  from  any  clieap,  poor  and  tawdry  accent.         j^ 
And  that  is  a  result  Avorth  gaining  for  that  particular  street.  fi^'' 

I  am  not  enthusiastic  al)out  Public  Markets.  AVith  tlie  com- 
ing of  the  telephone,  they  seem  not  to  be  as  useful  as  formerly, 
and  they  are  not  provocative  of  clean  streets.     If  one  is  to  ])e 

\^        established  in  Waterloo,  I  hope  it  may  not  be  "central."     It 

were  better  to  have  two  smaller  markets,  in  proximity  to  the  home  , 

region  of  the  people  who  most  would  value  its  facilities.  I  would 
suggest  sites  in  the  northeast,  perhaps  near  the  iutcrurl^an's 
crossing  of  the  main  line  of  the  Illinois  Central,  and  in  the  home 
section  of  the  southwest.  The  former  location  would  make  it 
possible  to  bring  in  produce  hy  cars  from  a  wide  area,  and  there 
are  many  operatives'  homes  in  that  vicinity. 

Conclusion 

In  concluding  the  report,  there   is  no   need  of  formal  sum-         p 
mary.     The  eifort  has  been  to  be  fair  and  reasonable  and  prac-  n 

tical.  Many  shortcomings  have  been  pointed  out,  and  yet  the 
opening  statements  remain  true,  that  Waterloo  is  an  exception- 
ally well  built  and  attractive  city  of  its  size.  The  possibilities 
for  securing  large  results  at  comparatively  little  further  cost, 
especially  as  regards  the  park  system,  are,  as  I  have  tried  to  show. 
\ ;  very  great ;  and  the  river  possesses  inspiring  opportunities  that 
I  deserve  to  be  scientifically  studied.     There  seems  to  be  only  one         ; : 

ffj        danger  that  seriously  threatens  the  advance  of  Waterloo  in  nni-         3>a 
yli         nicipal  aesthetics  and  effectiveness.     That  is  the  lack  of  com[)h'te  4i^ 

union  between  the  East  side  and  the  West,  of  the  whole-souled 
co-operation  which  forgets  self  in  the  greatness  of  a  common  task.  , , 

In  writing  the  report,  I  have  referred  now  to  this  side  and  now  jj 

,  to  tliat,  not  in  rivalry,  l)ut  simply  as  parts  of  the  greater  whole — - 

[1        just  as  one  speaks  of  business,  residence  and  industrial  sections. 
i)        It  is  really  of  no  consequence  whatever  to  the  world  wliether  the 
rain  water  from  roofs  of  Waterloo  readies  the  river  at  the  east 
shore  or  at  the  west — that  is  a  silly  little  thing  for  a  community 
to  be  jealous  about.    Rival  cities  may  well  smile  at  the  waste  that  j 

goes  with   a  duplication  arising  from   the  unwillingness  of  the  j 

people  under  the  roofs  to  act  unitedly,  on  both  sides,  for  better  j 

Waterloo.    Waste  may  not  mean  less  efficiency  in  the  particular 


r^j^JUf^sssr^ 


g  /•  ...  :    ..............  .  1^1 

^,  •••  .*•*. :..  I  r   ...*  :*.  •  *»:  *  .•••  •'" 

'^  inoasure  on  Mliicli  i1  occurs,  but  it  means* lessened  fes'ources  for 

other  measures.     The  city  must  shake  off  that  spirit.     Jt  must  be 
realized  that  either  side  alone  is  too  small  and  cramped  for  a  citi- 
'  zen  of  AYaterloo.     lie   nuist   have,   as  does  the  Civic   Society,   a 

larger  vision,  a  wider  hope,  and  more  embracing  faith,  and  make 
his  aim  this  noble  one;    The  Wellbeing  of  Waterloo. 
i  If  the  citizens  do  that,  there  will  be  no  such  word  as  fail. 

;2  Respectfully  submitted, 

'-  CHARLES  MULFORD  ROBINSON. 

Rochester,  N.  Y.,  May  1,  1910. 


)r 


il 


fe-" 


^r^S^^fm^Si 


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